Enhancing esprit among Marine wives

Elia Powers

Placing patriotic messages on car bumpers and sending greeting cards

to military bases are two conventional ways to show support for

troops and their families.

One Costa Mesa-based group is taking a different approach by

attempting to raise morale through makeovers.

On March 12, at least 40 volunteers from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

are planning a trip to Camp Pendleton, where they will turn a room at

the Marine Corps base into a “spring boutique.”

On what project volunteers are calling “Camp Pendleton Ladies

Day,” more than 150 wives of Marines of 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine

Regiment, can sort through racks of high-end clothing, collect

matching accessories and sign up for hairstyling appointments, while

their children are at a day-care center.

The event is free for the women.

Calvary Chapel adopted the group shortly after some of the Marines

were sent to Iraq in 2003.

A Calvary Chapel men’s group takes weekly trips to the base to

deliver food and to comfort those who remain stationed in Southern

California. Church member Kathy Peters traveled on one of the

excursions and said she felt obliged to provide more support to the

wives.

“I thought they could use a boost,” said Peters, the Ladies Day

chairperson. “Women really appreciate beauty, so this is a perfect

event for them.”

Peters is working to collect goods needed to put on the event. She

has arranged for students at the Paul Mitchell Beauty School in San

Diego to provide the styling sessions. Some local stores have agreed

to donate new or what Peters calls consignment-store-quality clothing

for women ages 18 to 35.

Project marketing director Dee Dee Morris said she was recently

told by Camp Pendleton authorities that the 2nd Battalion

leathernecks are scheduled to return to Southern California in late

March.

In preparation for their arrival, Morris is calling on restaurants

-- many of which are in Newport Beach -- to donate free dinners for

two.

Dan Marcheano, owner of the Arches restaurant in Newport Beach and

head of the Newport Beach Restaurant Assn., said he is offering

dinner for 60 to 70 couples from five battalions. A former Marine, he

is also planning to host a picnic for some of the troops and their

families.

“I don’t think I’m being generous,” Marcheano said. “I’m not the

one putting my life on the line.”

At a restaurant association meeting next week, Marcheano said he

will ask other restaurant owners to donate meals.

Morris said she has already received verbal commitments from

Fleming’s Steakhouse and Roy’s of Newport Beach.

Morris and Peters are making occasional trips to the project

headquarters in Santa Ana, where racks donated by Nordstrom hold rows

of clothing provided by philanthropists and stores throughout Orange

County.

Morris said she is determined to provide each wife with a new

wardrobe.

“We want them to look good,” she said. “This should help lift

their spirits.”

Morris said collection efforts will end March 4. The church is

accepting financial donations from the public. For more information,

call Kathy Peters at (714) 801-4958.